The Oregonian is reporting that Gov. Kitzhaber is going to be calling a special session of the Oregon Legislature next week. Gov. Kitzhaber will discuss the special session in a news conference at 11:00 AM today.

Willamette Week is reporting that the purpose of the special session is “to weigh in on an economic development opportunity that involves thousands of jobs in Washington County.”

The Oregonian confirmed the Nike story at 11:12AM: the goal of the special sesssion is “changing Oregon law to enable a major employment expansion by Nike”

UPDATE: Special session timed to get decision while Republicans still hold 30-30 tie in house?

Willamette Week’s report on Kitzhaber’s announcement said “Kitzhaber told reporters that Nike approached him ‘a month or a month and a-half ago.’ Coincidentally or not, that is when Democrats regained control of the Oregon House,” and “The session will call back a Senate in which Democrats hold a 16-to-14 advantage but Democrats and Republicans share control of the House with 30 members each.”

Oregon’s 2013 regular session (77th Legislative Assembly) will convene in only a few months, in February 2013, but the legislature will start meeting before then – about a month from now, starting January 14th, to swear-in newly elected officials, elect legislative leaders, adopt rules, organize and appoint committees, and begin introducing bills.

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Maybe west side bypass gets a mention. Maybe not. The CRC train is being forced out of the station by the spendthrift politicians in Oregon and Washington state, instead of looking more seriously at opening up mobility in and out of Oregon’s only current true economic growth region (Washington county). If Portland doesn’t allow Hayden Island development, Vancouver will relatively clean up with any road expansions across the Columbia versus stuck-in-the-government-controlled city of Portland.

Bob Clark

Turns out Kitz is asking for taxes to be cut on businesses bringing new jobs. Any tax cut in a government bloated state like Oregon can’t be half bad. However, targeted tax cuts as this can be pretty easily gamed; and it would be far better if the state abolished measures 66 and 67 and eased up land regulations to attract new business both small and large.
Also, can’t help believe any tax cuts for business will be used to argue for higher taxes/fees elsewhere (like a sales tax).

David from Mill City

It appears that what he is proposing is not a tax cut but rather a freezing for five years of existing tax rules and rates.

David from Mill City

For the State to give a guarantee, that if a business agrees to create 500 new jobs and make a 150 million dollar investment in Oregon, that the tax rules in force at the time of the guarantee will not change for that company for five years is an interesting proposal. But it needs to includes two provisions, first if the jobs or investment goals are not met for the duration of the guarantee there is a significant claw back,. Second, if the tax laws or rates should be changed during the five years that might result in a lower tax bill that they would also not go into effect till the end of the guarantee period. With those two provisions it is worth considering.